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2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Performance Review

November 5, 2008

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

don't expect sedan-like handing
Cars.com

3.8-liter engine is adequate...the new 4.0-liter engine is a powerhouse
Motor Week

a vehicle for passengers, not for drivers
New York Newsday (via Cars.com)

The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan does its job well, but unless you opt for the bigger engine, don't expect a sporty driving experience.

The base 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan has a 3.3-liter engine that puts out a mere 175 horsepower, which Consumer Reports anticipates would struggle with the bulk of this Dodge; 2008’s version weighs in at two-and-a-quarter tons. Cars.com points out that it’s only offered with a four-speed automatic, too. The gear selector itself “looks like a center-console shifter but is located high on the dashboard, to the right of the gauges,” they note, to make it easier for drivers to select gears manually. This engine/transmission combination is good for 24 mpg on the highway, not much more than the next-largest engine. It is flex-fuel compatible, though.

Kelley Blue Book points out the midline 197-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6 has much more power: "[it] had no problem transporting the medium-size loads to which we subjected it." It comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, a first in the minivan class; Automedia says of the new gearbox, “it operates so smoothly that gear changes are barely noticed.” Autoblog drove this version and didn’t find anything special about its power: “While it drove alright for a vehicle that weighs around 4,300 pounds, it's no tire-smoker, that's for sure,” they write.

Kelley Blue Book adds that "for an additional $630 and no sacrifice in EPA fuel economy figures," you can get the more powerful 4.0-liter V-6. It “[serves] up 251 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque,” Motor Trend notes. CNet reports, “The EPA rates the Grand Caravan with the 4-liter V-6 at 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. We averaged around 17 mpg overall, with our mileage dipping well below 16 in the city.” Consumer Reports observes, “The 3.8- and 4.0-liter engines are a bit noisy and not very fuel efficient,” but Car and Driver calls this version of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan a “strong performer.”

The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan handles fairly well for a tall, long-wheelbase vehicle. Consumer Reports thinks “the addition of rear coil springs improves ride comfort, but the rear can be buoyant on the highway.” Autoblog calls it a “smooth rider,” and Car and Driver notes, “brake-pedal feel is superb.” Automedia agrees that “Ride quality in a Dodge Grand Caravan SXT is outstanding, at least on smooth pavement,” and observes that it has “more confident handling than before, with especially positive steering.”

TheCarConnection.com has spent many miles, with kids and without, in both the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and its upscale cousin, the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country. The best advice? If you want better acceleration without taking a fuel-economy hit, choose the 4.0-liter V-6 with 251 hp. Pass on the 3.3-liter V-6 altogether because of the four-speed automatic that comes with the base Dodge; 2008’s Grand Caravan weighs over two tons, so power is an important component of overall driving safety and satisfaction.

Conclusion

The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan rides well in all forms and has surprising handling, but the 4.0-liter V-6 is the clear winner here.

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:don't expect sedan-like handingCars.com3.8-liter engine is adequate...the new 4.0-liter engine is a powerhouseMotor Weeka vehicle for passengers, not for driversNew York Newsday (via Cars.com) The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan does its job well, but unless you opt for the bigger engine, don't expect a sporty driving experience. The base 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan has a 3.3-liter engine that puts out a mere 175 horsepower, which Consumer Reports anticipates would struggle with the bulk of this Dodge; 2008’s version weighs in at two-and-a-quarter tons. Cars.com points out that it’s only offered with a four-speed automatic, too. The gear selector itself “looks like a center-console shifter but is located high on the dashboard, to the right of the gauges,” they note, to make it easier for drivers to select gears manually. This engine/transmission combination is good for 24 mpg on the highway, not much more than the next-largest engine. It is flex-fuel compatible, though. Kelley Blue Book points out the midline 197-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6 has much more power: "[it] had no problem transporting the medium-size loads to which we subjected it." It comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, a first in the minivan class; Automedia says of the new gearbox, “it operates so smoothly that gear changes are barely noticed.” Autoblog drove this version and didn’t find anything special about its power: “While it drove alright for a vehicle that weighs around 4,300 pounds, it's no tire-smoker, that's for sure,” they write. Kelley Blue Book adds that "for an additional $630 and no sacrifice in EPA fuel economy figures," you can get the more powerful 4.0-liter V-6. It “[serves] up 251 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque,” Motor Trend notes. CNet reports, “The EPA rates the Grand Caravan with the 4-liter V-6 at 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. We averaged around 17 mpg overall, with our mileage dipping well below 16 in the city.” Consumer Reports observes, “The 3.8- and 4.0-liter engines are a bit noisy and not very fuel efficient,” but Car and Driver calls this version of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan a “strong performer.” The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan handles fairly well for a tall, long-wheelbase vehicle. Consumer Reports thinks “the addition of rear coil springs improves ride comfort, but the rear can be buoyant on the highway.” Autoblog calls it a “smooth rider,” and Car and Driver notes, “brake-pedal feel is superb.” Automedia agrees that “Ride quality in a Dodge Grand Caravan SXT is outstanding, at least on smooth pavement,” and observes that it has “more confident handling than before, with especially positive steering.” TheCarConnection.com has spent many miles, with kids and without, in both the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and its upscale cousin, the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country. The best advice? If you want better acceleration without taking a fuel-economy hit, choose the 4.0-liter V-6 with 251 hp. Pass on the 3.3-liter V-6 altogether because of the four-speed automatic that comes with the base Dodge; 2008’s Grand Caravan weighs over two tons, so power is an important component of overall driving safety and satisfaction. ConclusionThe 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan rides well in all forms and has surprising handling, but the 4.0-liter V-6 is the clear winner here. 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars.com: "an improvement over the prior-generation" Car and Driver: "boxy styling doesn't do anything for the mom-mobile reputation" ConsumerGuide: "redesigned with fresh styling" Motor Trend: "scores on styling" For being the ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

If you're not sure you need all the room found in the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, check out the Mazda5. It's sportier and more fun to drive than the Dodge. Should value be your biggest attractor, check out the Hyundai Entourage. It does not offer everything the Dodge does, but the Entourage may have enough for you.

Next Steps:

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for a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan near you

See the Dodge Grand Caravan in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Comments (5 total)

  1. By Chris #1, Posted: 7/24/2009

    This is my 2nd dodge grand caravan, 1st was a 2001, nothing but issues with the struts, tie rod ends, had them changed 4 times (3 at my own expense).got a 2008 sxt because I was informed Dodge revamped their front end and won't have the issue with the struts or tie rod ends. Guess what...under 2 years, 27,000 miles and the tie rod ends and struts need to be replaced. Not only that but within that first winter the sliding doors refused to close, no one could even force them closed! Drivers window would not come back up, air conditioning doesn't work well on those hot humid days (yeah we don't need it then); no I have a transmission leak, Maybe the repair guy didn't tighten something. Oh and the best thing was that they manufactured thousands of the vans with the wrong power steering hose for the upper midwest states, yep, once it got below freezing the hoses tend to crack and your fluid leaks out and you can't move your van! Try being stranded in below zero weather with kids and freezing rain and then have the towing people say, it's going to be about 4 hours, its slippery out there can we get it tomorrow! But thats another issue. So I will never buy another Dodge product again, we have a Chevy pickup that has over 200,000 miles on it and only maintenance items were ever needed; and my husband can work on it w/o all that electronic crap. I say manufacturers go back to what used to work.

  2. By family van #2, Posted: 8/4/2009

    i bought a 2008 caravan for all of the great features. on the way home at 12 miles a sensor went bad. the van has a wind noise from the dash. at 13000 miles the front brakes are shot. it's no wonder why people are buying other brands beside chrysler.

  3. By Frank Ochs #3, Posted: 9/2/2009

    2008 Grand Caravan
    Front Brakes went at 15,000, rear brakes went at 26,000, when is Dodge going to do something? Anyone have any ideas?

  4. By Bruce in Chicago #4, Posted: 9/19/2009

    I have a 2008 Caravan and have put new front pads on at 14K and then front and rear pads at 25K. These brake pads must be undersized. The dealer service department has to know problems like this but this sort of info should be given to buyers; $300.00+ for a front brake job only at the dealer - $150.00 at a reputable Chicago shop. I guess I'm back doing my own brake jobs again.

  5. By Matt #5, Posted: 10/1/2009

    Own a 2008, had to replace front pads at 12,000 miles, and then again at 32,000. Wind whistles through the windshield, dealer said they couldn't find the problem. All you had to do was look at the visible molding that was warped-from the factory. Now I have a wire that was attached to "something" that fell off the undercarriage. Hope it wasn't important. Piece of crap Chrysler. Won't happen again.

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